Comparison of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Pathogenesis and Host Responses in Young Male and Female Chickens

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an avian coronavirus that causes a disease in chickens known as infectious bronchitis (IB). The pathogenesis of IBV and the host immune responses against it depend on multiple factors such as the IBV variant, breed and age of the chicken, and the environment provided by the management. Since there is limited knowledge about the influence of the sex of chickens in the pathogenesis of IBV, in this study we aim to compare IBV pathogenesis and host immune responses in young male and female chickens. One-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) White Leghorn male and female chickens were infected with Canadian Delmarva (DMV)/1639 IBV variant at a dose of 1 × 106 embryo infectious dose (EID)50 by the oculo-nasal route while maintaining uninfected controls, and these chickens were euthanized and sampled 4- and 11-days post-infection (dpi). No significant difference was observed between the infected male and female chickens in IBV shedding, IBV genome load in the trachea, lung, kidney, bursa of Fabricius (BF), thymus, spleen, and cecal tonsils (CT), and IBV-induced lesion in all the examined tissues at both 4 and 11 dpi. In addition, there was no significant difference in the percentage of IBV immune-positive area observed between the infected male and female chickens in all tissues except for the kidney, which expressed an increased level of IBV antigen in infected males compared with females at both 4 and 11 dpi. The percentage of B lymphocytes was not significantly different between infected male and female chickens in all the examined tissues. The percentage of CD8+ T cells was not significantly different between infected male and female chickens in all the examined tissues except in the trachea at 11 dpi, where female chickens had higher recruitment when compared with male chickens. Overall, although most of the findings of this study suggest that the sex of chickens does not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of IBV and the host immune response in young chickens, marginal differences in viral replication and host responses could be observed to indicate that IBV-induced infection in male chickens is more severe.

Impact of Maternal Antibodies on Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Infection in Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs of Chickens

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes infectious bronchitis disease in chickens. IBV primarily infects the upper respiratory tract and then disseminates to other body systems including gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary systems. Unlike original IBV serotypes, the novel IBV variants target lymphoid organs, but information on this is scarce. In this study, we aim to evaluate the impact of the presence of maternal antibodies on IBV infection in primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Maternal antibody free, specific pathogen free (SPF) hens were divided into vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. The progeny male chicks from these hens were divided into four groups; vaccinated challenged (VC), non-vaccinated challenged (NVC), vaccinated non-challenged (VNC), and non-vaccinated non-challenged (NVNC). The challenge groups were given 1 × 10⁶ embryo infectious dose (EID)₅₀ of IBV Delmarva (DMV)/1639 by the oculo-nasal route and non-challenge groups were given saline. The serum anti-IBV antibody titer was significantly higher in challenged groups compared to non-challenged groups. The IBV genome load was significantly lower in the VC group than NVC group in oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and in bursa of Fabricius (BF) and cecal tonsils (CT). The histopathological lesion scores were significantly lower in VC group than NVC group in BF and CT. These findings suggest that the presence of maternal antibody in chicks could provide some degree of protection against IBV infection in BF and CT.

Molecular survey of Babesia, Theileria, Trypanosoma, and Anaplasma infections in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Egypt

The one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) or dromedary is an economically important domestic animal. However, infectious diseases, including those caused by vector-borne hemopathogens, frequently compromise the health and production of camels. In this study, we examined infections caused by Babesia, Theileria, Trypanosoma, and Anaplasma species in camels in Egypt. We analyzed blood DNA samples from 148 camels reared in six Egyptian governorates (Giza, Asyut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and the Red Sea) using pathogen-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. Our results indicated that 29 (19.6%), 22 (14.9%), 1 (0.7%), 2 (1.4%), 1 (0.7%), 2 (1.4%), and 28 (18.9%) of the surveyed animals were infected with Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Babesia sp. Mymensingh, Theileria sp. Yokoyama, Theileria equi, Trypanosoma evansi, and Anaplasma marginale, respectively. We found that a total of 68 (45.9%) animals were infected with at least one of the detected hemopathogens. Sequencing analyses of PCR amplicons confirmed our diagnostic results. This study is the first to report Theileria sp. Yokoyama and Babesia sp. Mymensingh in Egypt. This is also the first report of infection with these two species in one-humped camel. In conclusion, this study found that camels in Egypt are infected with several vector-borne hemopathogens, including novel parasite species.

Forced exercise activates the NrF2 pathway in the striatum and ameliorates motor and behavioral manifestations of Parkinson's disease in rotenone-treated rats

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons leading to dopamine depletion and problems of movement, emotions, and cognition. While the pathogenesis of PD is not clear, damage of dopaminergic neurons by oxygen-derived free radicals is considered an important contributing mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the role of treadmill exercise in male Wister rats as a single treatment and as an aid-therapy with L-dopa for rotenone-induced PD. To study the role of the Nrf2- ARE pathway as a mechanism involved in exercise-associated improvement in rotenone-induced PD in rats.

METHOD

Animals were divided into 5 groups, (Control, rotenone, rotenone\exercise, rotenone\L-dopa, and rotenone\exercise\L-dopa (combination)groups). After the PD induction, rats in the rotenone\exercise and combination groups were daily treadmill exercised for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Treadmill exercise significantly improved behavioral and motor aspects of rotenone-induced PD. When treadmill exercise was introduced as a single intervention, it amended most behavioral aspects of PD, gait fully corrected, short-term memory, and motor coordination. Where L-dopa corrected locomotor activity and motor coordination but failed to improve short-term memory and only partially corrected the gait of rotenone-treated rats. When treadmill exercise was combined with L-dopa, all features of PD were corrected. It was found that exercise upregulated some of its associative genes to Nrf2 pathways such as TFAM, Nrf2 and NQO.1 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that forced exercise improved parkinsonian like features by activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Characterization of a spontaneous cyst-forming strain of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from Tokachi subprefecture in Japan

Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has three distinct clonal lineages: high, medium and low virulent strains, type I, II and III, respectively. T. gondii avoids the immune response by transforming from fast multiplying tachyzoite to slow multiplying bradyzoite, and establishing a chronic infection. In the present study, we isolated a new strain of T. gondii from cat feces in the Tokachi subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan and named it as TgCatJpObi1 (Obi1) strain. Genotyping analysis of 12 loci revealed atypical characters close to type II, genotype 4 according to ToxoDB classification. Phenotypically, Obi1 strain shows slow growth rate and the ability of spontaneous cyst formation in both human foreskin fibroblast (HFFs) and mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro without bradyzoite induction. Parasite virulence was assessed by means of mouse survival upon infection with either Obi1 or ME49 strains. Obi1 strain displayed no mortalities in comparison to type II clonal lineage, ME49 at LD₅₀ to LD₁₀₀ range (1 × 10³-10⁶ tachyzoites). Although virulence of Obi1 strain is significantly lower than that of ME49, nucleotide sequences analyses revealed that genes of virulence factors such as Gra15, Rop5, 16, 17, and 18 in Obi1 strain were 100% identical to those in the type II strain. Thus, characterization of a newly isolated strain, Obi1, is crucial to clarify the development of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals.

Synthesis, characterization and structure effects on selectivity properties of silica gel covalently bonded diethylenetriamine mono- and bis-salicyaldehyde and naphthaldehyde Schiff(,)s bases towards some heavy metal ions

Four silica gel-immobilized new metal chelate Schiff(,)s bases were synthesized (I-IV). Silica gel chemically bonded diethylenetriamine mono-naphthaldehyde and mono-salicyaldehyde Schiff's bases (phases I and III) were produced via the interaction of silica gel-modified diethylenetriamine with naphthaldehyde and salicylaldehyde, respectively. However, phases II and IV arose through the interaction of bis-naphthaldehyde and bis-salicylaldehyde Schiff(,)s bases of diethylenetriamine with 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane modified silica gel. The characterization of such new phases, their capabilities towards selective extraction or separation of Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions were studied and evaluated by both batch and column techniques as a function of pH and time of contact. Phases III and I showed high performance towards Cu(II) extraction, where their Cu(II) sorption determined to be 0.957 and 0.940 mmol g(-1), respectively. However, for phases IV and II, the great affinity was devoted to Fe(III) extraction followed by Cu(II) ions. The reactivity of metal ion sorption was discussed in the light of effects of bulkiness as well as orientation of immobilized chelate on sorbent reactivity. Donor sites of phases III and I (diethylenetriamine and azomethene nitrogens along with phenolic hydroxyl group oxygen) are fully active, whereas phases IV and II are partially active with only participation of oxygen and azomethene nitrogen. The order of increasing thermal stability (IV<II<I<III) and fastness of metal uptake equilibration process coincides satisfactorily with decreasing bulkiness of the chelate. Results of separation under dynamic conditions of binary mixtures containing Cu(II) with Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) using phase III are in accordance with its selectivity towards Cu(II) retention relative to the other coexisting ions.

Surprising outcome of ommaya reservoir in treating cystic craniopharyngioma: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Surgical removal (gross total or partial removal), radiotherapy and cyst evacuation have all been used individually or in combination to treat cystic craniopharyngioma, although it is unclear which is the best method.

OBJECTIVE

To report the results of treating cystic craniopharyngioma by insertion of an Ommaya reservoir system (ORS) and aspiration of the cyst.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

As from 1990, patients admitted to the neurosurgical department at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt, with grossly cystic craniopharyngioma and who had a single cyst and did not have previous surgery were treated by insertion of an ORS and drainage of the cyst. By 2010, 52 patients had received this treatment with the cystic fluid aspirated completely on the day of surgery. The main presenting symptoms were raised intracranial pressure and visual changes with hormonal changes observed in some patients. The minimal follow-up period was 7 years.

RESULTS

To our surprise, 38 (73%) patients did not develop any recollection of the cyst and showed significant clinical improvement. The only possible explanation is that the part of the catheter of the ORS, with holes in, has established communication between the cyst and the CSF spaces around it after the collapse of the cyst with no adverse effect on the patient at any time. Ten (19%) patients needed reaspiration every 6 months and four (8%) patients showed rapid recollection of cystic fluid and were treated with intracystic bleomycin.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma by drainage through an ORS is very effective. The majority of patients do not need any further treatment. Those who develop re-accumulation of cystic fluid are easily treated by simple aspiration of the fluid through the reservoir. It is a simple and safe method, which lacks the risks associated with surgery or chemotherapy.

Impairment and restoration of spontaneous contractile activity of longitudinal smooth muscles in the TNBS-inflamed hamster distal colon

In the present study, we aimed to determine how inflammation affects spontaneous motility in the longitudinal direction of a hamster colon preparation. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) injected into the distal colon caused diarrhea 4-7 days after the treatment, but diarrhea was not observed in hamsters kept for 4 weeks. At 1 week after induction of colitis, spontaneous motility in the longitudinal direction was strongly suppressed. Contraction of longitudinal smooth muscles induced by electrical field stimulation was impaired, but not that induced by exogenously applied acetylcholine, indicating that acute inflammation preferentially impairs neurotransmissions with a minor effect on contractility of the longitudinal smooth muscle itself. The spontaneous motility reappeared in the colonic preparation isolated from the hamster maintained for 4 weeks after induction of colitis. The reappearance of the motility accompanied cholinergic and nitrergic regulations of contractile activity. These results demonstrated that impairment and following restoration of spontaneous contractile activity of longitudinal smooth muscles in the TNBS-inflamed distal colon of the hamster may depend on the damage and recovery of neural factors, rather than alteration of muscle contractility.

Tandem mass spectrometry of some nitropyridylaryl sulfides

The electron impact tandem mass spectrometry of 3- and 5-nitropyridinylaryl sulfides are reported and discussed. The [M-1](+) ion is observed as the base peak for all the 5-nitropyridinylaryl sulfides, series I, whereas the 2-mercapto-3-nitrosopyridine fragment at m/z 139 represents the base peak for the 3-nitro isomers, series II, with the exception of the 3-substituted derivatives and the unsubstituted parent sulfide. The proposed fragmentation processes are substantiated by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Hammett correlation analysis of the substituent effect on the formation of fragments [RH(4)C(6)S](+), [C(6)H(4)R](+) and [M-HNO(2)](+) is discussed. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A study of patient satisfaction with primary health care services in Saudi Arabia

Patient satisfaction is of value to primary health care providers. The main objective of this study was to estimate patient satisfaction with respect to primary health care services in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Fourteen primary health care centers were chosen randomly to represent various geographic areas of Riyadh. Information was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire used by thirty well-trained final year medical students. Systematic sampling of family files was conducted and the household head was interviewed. Nine hundred respondents were interviewed concerning their satisfaction with the services delivered. The findings were as follows: 40% were dissatisfied. One third of the dissatisfied expressed the view that the center was too far; 19.4% complained that the working hours of the center were not suitable; 38.9% complained of the absence of specialty clinics; 19.4% had language barriers with the physicians; 63.9% complained about delays at the center; 16.7% of the satisfied and 38.9% of the dissatisfied complained that the physicians did not satisfactorily explain their health problems and treatments. In 22.7% of the dissatisfied category, physicians' explanations were neither clear nor understandable. Among the satisfied, 74.6% said that primary health care center was the first choice if they felt sick; 61.1% of the non-satisfied category gave this response. The implications of these findings are discussed, and recommendations are given to rectify certain problems.

Risk factors for gallstone formation in young Saudi women: A case control study

One hundred eighty-three young Saudi females (92 patients with gallstones, 91 controls) mean age and (SD), 30.2 (6.1) and 29.7 (6.4) years respectively were studied in detail for possible risk factors for gallstone formation. No statistically significant difference was found when the two groups were compared with regard to past history of jaundice. HBsAg carrier status, use of oral contraceptives, parity, diabetes mellitus, obesity (as Body Mass Index > 30), hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. However, it was noted that both groups were overweight; mean (SD) BMI of 27 (5.9) and 26.7 (6.8) for patients and controls respectively and both had high parity rates; mean and (SD) pregnancies of 4.7 (2.6) and 4.3 (2.9), respectively. Family history of gallstones in first degree relatives of patients was significant (.0027 < P < .01) more than in the controls (95% confidence interval of 3% to 23%). This may suggest a genetic or an environmental factor that strikes the balance toward gallstone formation in the obese and fertile young female population. A larger nationwide, population-based study is surely justified and needed.

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange in fused-silica capillary columns

Ketones deuteriated alpha to the carbonyl have been observed to undergo significant isotope exchange on fused-silica capillary columns during gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The residence time of the compounds on the column was found to influence the extent of isotope exchange. The degree of exchange was examined using a variety of columns and the isotope exchange was found to occur even with brand new columns. Conversion of the keto compounds into the methyloxime derivatives resulted in retention of the "correct" isotope content during gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The value of HLA phenotypes in the prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma

The study included 52 patients with Hodgkin's disease, 32 males and 20 females, whose ages ranged from 3 to 36 years (34 under and 18 over 15 years). All patients were carefully staged, and lymph-node biopsies were taken for histopathological examination. HLA phenotype determinations were carried out, and the frequencies were statistically compared with those of normal Egyptian controls. We followed the patients for 3 years to monitor the effect of therapy. In order to determine the prognostic value of patients' characteristics (age, stage, histologic pattern and HLA phenotypes), statistical analysis and retrospective stratification studies were performed. The frequency of HLA-AI was significantly increased in our patients. The relative risk showed that persons carrying the AI antigen are 6 times more susceptible than those lacking it. There was no significant difference in the frequency of AI antigen in relation to the histopathologic subtypes. Furthermore, the results revealed a prognostic value of the HLA marker. In conclusion, we suggest that chemotherapy should be added to radiotherapy of marker-positive patients at any stage.